The company "Spectrum Group" is one of the main players in the market of cosmetics, perfumes and household chemicals in St. Petersburg. Among buyers it is better known as "Spectrum".
A bit of history
The company began operations 26 years ago, but the first store was opened only in 1993. Initially, Spectrum was positioned more as a household chemical goods store, rather than cosmetics and perfumes. However, the situation changed after Spectrum Group acquired AS Watson international holding in 2005. The assortment of the network has expanded significantly, it includes well-known brands of cosmetics, perfumes and related products, as well as previously unknown brands to the Russian buyer, which the store now calls its exclusive.
Now it has more than 50 outlets "Spectrum" (cosmetics, St. Petersburg). Addresses of shops are in each district, all of them are located within walking distance. The network is worthy competition for "Smile of the Rainbow", "Magnet Cosmetics" and "Girlfriend".
pros
If we summarize the opinions of customers, the reviews left by them, then the following picture emerges.
One of the main advantages of shops is their convenient location. In almost every area, they are found on almost every corner. Judging by the reviews, this often serves as an incentive to visit.
Buyers are also attracted by the convenient all-in-one format: I went for washing powder, and at the same time bought shampoo, a toothbrush. In addition, the store also has cosmetics. Spectrum (St. Petersburg) will please with a good selection of budget funds.
The range is also quite attractive, but more on this will be written below.
The pricing policy of the store is designed for buyers with average incomes, and not for the regulars “Rive Gauche” and “Ile de Beaute”. Company slogan: quality at an affordable price.
Often arranged various promotions and discounts on certain categories of goods. There are always catalogs, customer cards, and at certain hours there is a discount for senior citizens.
Minuses
Most buyers are unhappy with the quality of service. No one requires a 5-star service, but sheer inattention or rudeness are not happy either. Poorly maintained stores are located next to the Narvskaya metro station (Staro-Petergofsky prospect, d. 35B) and Technological Institute (1st Krasnoarmeyskaya st., 14).
Often the prices do not correspond to those stated in the catalog (Kirochnaya St., 23).
It is possible to purchase expired goods (according to reviews, similar cases occurred in a store on 1st Krasnoarmeyskaya and 38 Nauky Avenue).
Range
If earlier, when going to the store, first of all, they purchased household chemicals, but now, when you visit the Spectrum, cosmetics and perfumes attract attention in the first place. Moreover, a different price category. Each buyer will be able to choose something for himself among 12 thousand presented SKU.
Decorative cosmetics
If you are interested in inexpensive but high-quality cosmetics, the Spectr chain of stores (St. Petersburg) will be an excellent choice for its purchase.
There are good unadvertised brands that are in no way inferior to more venerable ones. For example, Essence and Ninelle: they have excellent eyeshadows and eyebrows and wonderful lip glosses with a wide selection of colors. Of course, the giants of the mass market are also represented: Pupa, Maybelline, Rimmel, MaxFactor. Naturally, all products are original. The one who talks about fakes, apparently, does not know that all the stores are shipped by the same suppliers. Mascara, lipsticks, lip glosses and other cute things for every woman can be bought at lower prices than in large stores.
Face and body care
Pleasing and makeup products. Spektr (St. Petersburg) offers a wide range of face and body care products. In the store you can pick up products for cleansing, toning and nourishing / moisturizing. Foams or gels for washing, tonics and, of course, creams are presented in different price segments: there are budget options and products of popular brands (for example, “Garnier”, “Nivea”, “Loreal”). There are alternative options that can replace more hyped brands, not inferior to them in functionality.
Stores will delight with a large selection of various budget fabric face masks and creams for hands and feet. You can find really interesting and high-quality products that are not found in large stores. For example, at a modest price you can buy a decent anti-cellulite cream Floresan. This line in bright orange bottles has long been enjoyed by customers: despite the low price, creams really work.
Perfumery
If you need not only cosmetics, Spectrum (St. Petersburg) also has eau de toilette of various price categories. Of course, you cannot find Chanel and Dior here, but premium aromas are presented.
In addition to little-known no name brands and imitations, Spectrum sells Boss, Lanvin, Lacoste, Mexx, Bruno Banani, Versace ... Despite some reviews, all the toilet waters are genuine and have certificates. They are no different from those on the shelves in Rive Gaucher and Letual. Is that at a price - in a smaller direction. And if you get to the share, then the volume of 50 milliliters can be purchased very profitably. The only negative is that there are not always testers, but if you know what you want, or you go purposefully, then this is not a problem.
In addition to famous brands, the store also offers more budget options for toilet water costing from 200 rubles to a thousand. Some of them are replicas of well-known perfumes, not claiming originality, but quite recognizable even by the packaging design. The aromas themselves also resemble the originals.
Exclusive
If you want something unusual and new, you should look at the brands represented only in this chain of stores. For example, you need new leaving and decorative cosmetics. "Spectrum" (St. Petersburg) offers to try products from little-known European companies Isana, Superdrug and Creightons on the Russian market.
Superdrug
Good budget body lotions , shower gels , shampoos and hair balms. There are unusual remedies, such as Hot Cloth Cleanser and body butters. Judging by the reviews, Superdrug should pay attention to face masks and lip balms. The price is affordable, and the quality is decent. In addition, the company's products are not tested on animals.
Isana
The German company specializes in caring cosmetics. In its assortment are washing gels, peels, lip balms, as well as shampoos, deodorants, shower gels, creams and lotions. A good budget option for those who do not like to spend money on expensive money.
Creightons
The English company in the Spectrum network is represented by shampoos, tans, liquid soap and shower gels. Customer reviews are mostly satisfied, especially for tanning: they do not give yellow, persistent, odorless and inexpensive.
Shops "Spectrum" (St. Petersburg): reviews
As for the "Spectra" there is no consensus. Someone mercilessly scolds the shops, saying that "no more foot here", someone praises. The only thing visitors agree on is that Spectrum (a cosmetics store, St. Petersburg) is oriented towards a broad profile customer.
Those whose votes are in favor emphasize that in the first place it is still a hardware store, and therefore it is foolish to expect from it the level of large networks such as Rive Gauche. This is not a holiday store, in which they go for all sorts of amenities and high quality service, but a place in which they jump on the way home. Socks for her husband, tights for herself, toothpaste for a child, and at the same time some trifle in the form of a lip balm or a pretty nail polish - this is Spectrum. Yes, there is not a large selection of cosmetics, but at the same time the range is quite decent, especially in the stores of the new format.
Negative reviews primarily pay attention to the level of service. It is emphasized that the unobtrusiveness of sellers can reach indifference. Or there are very active ladies offering everything, even what is not needed.
Cases of sales of expired products were noticed, especially this was often encountered when purchasing goods from trays located near the cash register.
In addition, most dissatisfied emphasize that the prices in the store for many brands are overstated, and the stocks are purely nominal in nature: gifts may not be given, and the cost of the goods may differ from the one stated in the catalog.
To summarize, the “Spectrum” is a “near the house” store, without any frills, but with a decent selection of products from powder to nail polish. Clean, with unobtrusive service and a very friendly atmosphere. Suitable for the purchase of funds "need right now" and all sorts of small things.